After reaching the state playoffs last year for only the second time in school history, the Coyote football team seeks to improve on that success. To accomplish that, it will be under a new head coach.
After former head coach Rob Gallowitz stepped down, West Creek administration cast a wide net for his replacement. They found a coach who made it to the pinnacle of the game–Michael Booker, a two-time national champion at Nebraska, and a five-year NFL veteran.
Coach Booker arrived in Clarksville from Lakeview Centennial High School in Garland, Texas. The opportunity to be with family brought him to Clarksville.
“The opportunity to coach with my younger brother and to be closer to my family is a major reason that I am at West Creek,” Coach Booker said. “Clarksville is a great place for me and my family.”
Coming off a 4-7 season last year that saw them finish 4-4 in district play and wrap up the fourth seed in 6A-Region 7, the Coyotes plan to use that as a building block for future success.
“Success is built around positive role models,” Coach Booker said. “I believe our student-athletes are being led by men of integrity. This year we would like to win more games. We have changed a couple of things that should increase our chances of winning more games. Success starts with culture. Culture builds self-respect, pride and ownership of the program.”
Although the team lost valuable leadership from last year’s team, Coach Booker has seen new leaders emerge.
“We have a lot of leaders on the team, but our team is led by our Unity Council (The Captains),” he said. “I believe that the team is starting to trust the process. Football is not an easy sport, someone is always yelling at you and when you do it correctly, they want you to do it again, but faster. The team as a unit has collectively stepped up. Every athlete has a role to play to ensure the success of this football team. I am proud of our young men.”
Coach Booker plans to run a ball-control offense that controls the clock. “I want to have a strong run game that is capitalized by our passing attack,” he said.
His defensive philosophy is to “be the aggressor, hit’em early and often! Gang tackle, minimize the big plays, be successful on 3rd downs and be dominant in the Red Zone.”
To improve upon last year, the Coyotes will have to go through favorites Clarksville Wildcats and Rossview Hawks. The squad lost to both teams last year. Kirkwood’s Cobras look to be improved as well after last year’s debut season. The Coyotes defeated the Cobras in overtime in the last game of the season to secure the playoff berth. Dickson County’s Cougars are also a formidable opponent. The Northwest Vikings, Northeast Eagles and Kenwood Knights are in rebuilding mode but the Coyotes cannot afford to stumble against them.
2024 Coyote Football Schedule
